Folding camping trailer with flushable toilet

ABSTRACT

The folding camping trailer includes a trailer body having partial height sidewalls and end walls, a vertically extendable roof section, an expandable enclosure connecting the sidewalls and end walls to the roof section, and a flush toilet disposed in the trailer body. The toilet includes a waste holding tank for storing sewage waste, a toilet bowl attached to the holding tank, a drain outlet situated on the holding tank for draining the sewage waste, and a vent conduit extending from the holding tank to the roof section. The vent conduit includes a vent pipe connected to the holding tank and a vent hose connected between the vent pipe and a vent opening in the roof section. The vent hose is extendable from a first length when the roof section is in a retracted position to a second longer length when the roof section is in a raised position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to recreational vehicles such astravel trailers, fifth-wheelers, and folding camping trailers and, moreparticularly, to a folding camping trailer having an integrated,permanently mounted, and fully flushable toilet.

2. Background and Description of Related Art

Generally, there are two major types or categories of vehicles in therecreational vehicle industry, namely motorized vehicle or towablevehicles. Motorized recreational vehicles (“RV's) are self-propelled.Towable RV's, or trailers, have one or more axles and require a couplingdevice for engaging a mating towing hitch on a towing vehicle. Theinvention to be disclosed herein relates generally to towable RV's ortrailers.

Towable RV's or trailers have three general forms and include traveltrailers, fifth-wheelers, and folding camping trailers. Conventionaltravel trailers and fifth-wheelers have solid, full-height sidewalls,end walls, a fixed roof, and floor. The sidewalls, end walls, roof, andfloor form the internal living space of the travel trailer orfifth-wheeler. It is common in travel trailers and fifth-wheelers tohave an outward extendable slide-out room or living space, generallyreferred to as slide-outs or slide-out areas. One such example isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,570 to Gehman et al.

Folding camping trailers, by contrast, do not have full-heightsidewalls. Folding camping trailers generally have a floor panel, twopartial-height sidewalls, two partial-height end walls and a verticallyextendable roof section. To expand the useable living space, foldingcamping trailers typically include a flexible, typically fabric (i.e.,tented), section or enclosure extending from the roof section to thesidewalls and end walls. When the roof section is in the extended or“up” position, the fabric enclosure or, alternatively, folding rigidpanels may be deployed between the roof section and sidewalls and endwalls to form an enclosed living space. The fabric enclosure or foldingrigid panels may be referred to as the expanded living enclosure of thefolding camping trailer. Folding camping trailers may include extendablesleep areas or extendable slide-out areas in much the same manner astravel trailers. An example of a folding camping trailer with extendablesleep areas is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,106 Reckner,Jr. assigned to the same as assignee as the present application andwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In theretracted or “down” position of the roof section and expanded livingenclosure, the folding camping trailer provides a lightweight,low-profile vehicle that is easily towed.

A recent evolution in the RV industry combines the solid walls of atravel trailer with the lighter weight and expandability of foldingcamping trailers in a single unit and are referred to as “hybrids”.Hybrids have the stowed appearance of a travel trailer but when set-upfor occupancy they feature a slide-out area or sleep area typically witha fabric (i.e., tented) enclosure. An example of a hybrid trailer isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,920 to Bailey et al., the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some recent hybridtrailers known in the art even include an extendable roof section forincreased headroom within the travel trailer or for ventilationpurposes. However, these roof-extendable hybrid trailers are moreclosely related to traditional travel trailers than to folding campingtrailers and do not typically include fabric (i.e., tented) enclosuresor folding panels.

It is known in the industry that folding camping trailers encompass avariety of embodiments. For example, some folding camping trailers donot require tenting or folding rigid panels to form an expanded enclosedliving space when the roof section is raised. Specifically, such foldingcamping trailers have the roof panels permanently attached to sectionsof the sidewalls that are generally one-half the height of a total wallsection. The other half-height sidewall section is permanently attachedto the trailer floor. The roof panels and the corresponding upper wallsections create an inverted four or five-sided box, which overlaps asimilar but smaller and not inverted four or five-sided box includingthe floor and the corresponding attached lower wall sections. The roofsection may be raised via numerous methods, including, but not limitedto, a vertical fashion or an arcing vertical/lateral motion. In otherembodiments, folding camping trailers have a multi-piece roof with twopieces overlapping horizontally in the towing mode. When the foldingcamping trailer is converted into the occupation mode, the two roofpieces arc upward to form an “A”-shaped peak. The vertical sides of the“A” shape are rigid panels that arc upward and latch into place, therebyforming an expanded enclosed living space. The aforementioned campingtrailers are considered in the industry to be folding camping trailersbecause they exhibit expandability from a towing mode to an occupationmode. Additionally, such folding camping trailers share many of thenumerous and unique challenges inherent in the design, engineering, andconstruction of folding camping trailers.

One of the most problematic and challenging creature comforts toincorporate into a folding camping trailer is a toilet. Prior arttoilets presently utilized in folding camping trailers include portabletoilets and cassette toilets. Portable toilets are well known devicesthat incorporate a toilet seat, a bowl, and a lid into a package thatalso includes a small flushwater reservoir and small waste holding tank.However, portable toilets are increasingly frowned upon by consumers whoseek greater levels of creature comfort and convenience. Cassettetoilets are an improvement over portable toilets in that the bowl, seat,and lid are part of an assembly that is permanently installed inside therecreational vehicle interior, thereby giving the toilet a seeminglymore “residential-like” appearance. However, as is the case withportable toilets, cassette toilets feature a small flushwater reservoirand a small waste holding tank that must be emptied to a sanitary wastedump station somewhere in a campground. Additionally, like a portabletoilet, cassette toilets are constructed primarily of plastic and do nothave the customary look and feel of a residential toilet.

Thus, it can be understood that neither portable toilets nor cassettetoilets offer the increasingly sought after convenience of being able todirectly connect to a sanitary sewage system at a campground nor havethe desired look and feel of a residential toilet. What folding campingtrailer enthusiasts are increasingly seeking, and manufacturers arethereby desirous of providing, is a residential-type toilet featuring aresidential-style toilet bowl that is permanently installed, providesenhanced flushwater capacity, and includes the ability to connect toeither an enhanced waste holding tank or a sanitary sewage system.

The low towing profile and compact size of most folding camping trailerslimits the ability to incorporate a sizeable permanently mounted wasteholding tank on the folding camping trailer. It is well known that alarger tank provides greater convenience to a user by extending the timebetween waste holding tank “dumps”. Additionally, incompatibilitiesexist between portable or cassette toilets and portable waste holdingtanks currently provided on folding camping trailers. Further, plumbingindustry code compliance mandates that a suitably dimensioned ventstructure be used in conjunction with permanently mounted waste holdingtanks. Specifically, the vent structure must allow waste gases to besuitably vented to the atmosphere. Numerous obstacles have prevented theready addition of a permanent vent structure in folding campingtrailers, such as slide-outs, folded tenting, and/or rigid internalstructures provided in the enclosed living space of the trailer.

The foregoing limitations have restricted folding camping trailers tousing the aforementioned portable toilets or cassette toilets. It is,therefore, desirable to overcome these problems and others by providinga folding camping trailer having a toilet facility that providesresidential-style comfort and convenience by featuring aresidential-style toilet bowl, greater flushwater and waste storagecapacity, and compatibility with on-campsite/campground sanitary sewagecollection systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein overcomes the challenge of providing acomfortable and functional toilet facility in a folding camping trailerby addressing each of the problems described previously, particularlythe problems of providing a suitable vent structure in the body of thefolding camping trailer, the incorporation of a sizeable and permanentlymounted sewage waste holding tank, and an improved compatibility withstandard external sanitary sewage hook-ups found at most campgroundsthat cater to recreational vehicles with on-board sewage storagecapabilities. Accordingly, the waste holding tank disclosed herein maybe connected directly to a sanitary sewage system, if available, therebyproviding unlimited capacity for the disposal of flushwater andaccompanying solid waste. Alternatively, the waste holding tank may beadapted to connect to a portable external holding tank if a sanitarysewage system is not available at the chosen campsite or campground.

A folding camping trailer of the present invention comprises a trailerbody comprising partial height sidewalls and end walls, a verticallyextendable roof section, an expandable enclosure connecting thesidewalls and roof section, and a flush toilet permanently mounted inthe trailer body. The toilet includes a waste holding tank for storingsewage waste, a toilet bowl attached to the holding tank, a drain outletsituated on the waste holding tank for draining the sewage waste fromthe waste holding tank, and a vent conduit extending from the wasteholding tank to the roof section. At least a portion of the vent conduitis typically expandable and retractable to allow the raising andlowering of the roof section without deconstruction of the vent conduit.The expandable enclosure may be a conventional “tented” enclosure. Theexpandable enclosure enhances the internal living space of the foldingcamping trailer in the manner known in the art.

The vent conduit typically comprises a vent pipe connected to the wasteholding tank and a vent hose having a first end connected to the ventpipe and a second end connected to a vent outlet in the roof section.The second end of the vent hose may be secured fixedly to the ventoutlet. Additionally, the first end of the vent hose may be securedfixedly to the vent pipe. A vent cover may be attached to the roofsection to cover the second end of the vent hose. The vent hose may bemade of any suitable material, such as plastic, and may be segmented orflexible to allow for its expansion and retraction or bending with theraising and lowering of the roof section.

The vent hose is typically extendable from a first length when the roofsection is in a retracted position proximate the sidewalls and end wallsto a second longer length when the roof is raised to an extendedposition. The expandable enclosure may comprise a sleeve at leastpartially enclosing the vent conduit.

A termination valve may be provided in the drain outlet for releasingsewage waste from the waste holding tank. The termination valve may beadapted to mate with an external sanitary sewage hook-up or an externalholding tank.

The vent conduit may be secured to at least one of the sidewalls of thetrailer body. Additionally, the vent conduit itself may be wholly or inpart flexible.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will becomeclear upon reading the following detailed description in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identifiedwith like reference numerals throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding camping trailer comprising avertically extendable roof section which is shown in a lowered position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective internal and partial cross-sectional view of thefolding camping trailer of FIG. 1 further comprising a permanentlyinstalled toilet facility and showing the facility with the roof sectionin a raised position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective internal and partial cross-sectional view of thefolding camping trailer of FIG. 1 showing the roof section in apartially lowered state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flushable toilet adapted for use inthe toilet facility shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is an isolated perspective view of the toilet facility shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a sidewall of the folding camping trailerof FIG. 1, illustrating a vent conduit of the toilet facility shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vent conduit shown in FIG. 6,showing one end of the vent conduit engaged with the roof section of thefolding camping trailer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vent outlet of the vent conduit shownin FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directionalterms, if used, shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in thedrawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention mayassume various alternative variations, except where expressly specifiedto the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific apparatusand structure illustrated in the attached drawings and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Hence, specific physical characteristics related to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

With reference to FIGS. 1–3, a folding camping trailer 10 (hereinafter“trailer 10”) and internal details thereof are shown. Trailer 10generally comprises a trailer body 11 having a generally rectangularshape and a vertically-extendable roof section 12. Trailer body 11 isattached to a chassis 14 which has wheels 16 and a towing trailer hitch18 for towing trailer 10. Extendable roof section 12 is extendableupward from trailer body 11 to form a set-up position or configurationof trailer 10, and retractable to the position or configuration shown inFIG. 1 which is the towing configuration of trailer 10. Trailer body 11generally comprises two longitudinally-extending sidewalls 20 and twoconnecting end walls 22. Trailer body 11 further comprises a floor 24forming a base for sidewalls 20 and end walls 22. The floor 24, endwalls 22, and sidewalls 20 form a solid structure for supportingextendable roof section 12. Typically, floor 24, end walls 22, andsidewalls 20 are formed of fiberglass, plastic, or wood covered orpaneled over with a fiberglass or plastic outer skin. An expandableenclosure 28, typically a flexible tenting enclosure or canopy, extendsbetween roof section 12 and sidewalls 20 and end walls 22 in the set-upposition of trailer 10. Expandable enclosure 28 and the lower solidstructure formed by the floor 24, end walls 22, and sidewalls 20 oftrailer body 11 encloses an internal living space 30 of trailer 10. Thetypically flexible nature of expandable enclosure 28 allows theexpandable enclosure 28 to be expanded or compressed as the roof section12 is raised or lowered to place trailer 10 into the set-upconfiguration and towing configuration, respectively. Sidewalls 20 aretypically double-shelled walls each comprising an internal side orinward-facing body panel 32 and an external side or outward-facing bodypanel 34.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, trailer 10 further comprises atoilet facility 40 integrated into trailer body 11 and permanentlyinstalled therein. Toilet facility 40 is provided in the internal livingspace 30 of trailer 10 and is akin to a residential (i.e., in-home)bathroom toilet found in private residences. Toilet facility 40 ispermanently mounted in trailer body 11 and comprises a flushable toilet42 similar in form and function to commodes found in private residences.As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, sidewall internal panel 32 and sidewallexternal panel 34 function as the solid interior and exterior walls oftrailer body 11 and, typically, form one side or wall of toilet facility40. Toilet facility 40 further comprises enclosure end walls 44 aconnecting longitudinal enclosure sidewall 46 for enclosing toiletfacility 40 and providing privacy for the user thereof. Enclosuresidewall 46 defines a doorway opening 48 for receiving a door (notshown) for allowing access to toilet facility 40. Floor 24 of trailerbody 11 may also form the floor of toilet facility 40, or toiletfacility 40 may comprise a step-up floor panel 50 forming a step intothe toilet facility 40. Sidewall internal and external panels 32, 34define an intervening panel cavity 52 therebetween for routing ofcertain plumbing associated with toilet 42 as discussed herein. Whiletoilet facility 40 is typically constructed as part of trailer body 11during the manufacture process for trailer 10, toilet facility 40 mayalso be provided as a distinct, modular unit that is installed intotrailer body 11 during the manufacturing process of trailer 10. Toiletfacility 40 may also be provided as a modular unit for use inretrofitting existing folding camping trailers having a cassette typetoilet or a portable toilet.

Flush toilet 42 generally comprises a toilet bowl 54, a waste holdingtank 56, a drain outlet 58, and a vent conduit 60. Toilet bowl 54 issituated above waste holding tank 56 and in fluid communicationtherewith. Waste holding tank 56 is emptied via drain outlet 58 to, forexample, a sanitary sewage dump as is often found at improved (i.e.,commercial) camping sites or to an external waste holding tank at such afacility. Vent conduit 60 is connected to and extends upward from wasteholding tank 56 to allow waste gases to be vented to the atmosphere.While waste holding tank 56 is shown disposed above the floor leveldefined by floor panel 50 of toilet facility 40, waste holding tank 56may be located below floor panel 50 to more resemble an in-home toiletand improve the aesthetic appearance of toilet facility 40.

Toilet bowl 54 is similar in design to a residential-style toilet andmay be constructed, for example, of ceramic material, typically marinegrade ceramic metal, metal such as aluminum or plastic. Accordingly,toilet 42 typically further comprises a lid 62 for covering the openingof toilet bowl 54. Waste holding tank 56 and/or toilet bowl 54 aretypically sized to raise the height of toilet 42 to a comfortable heightfor most users so that the user may sit in a comfortable posture whileusing toilet 42. A flushwater reservoir 64 is provided for flushingtoilet bowl 54 with water and is intended to provide a similar bowlcleansing functionality as would be found in a flushwater reservoir on aresidential commode. Thus, flushwater reservoir 64 is typically providedas a refillable tank that is in fluid communication with toilet bowl 54.Flushwater reservoir 64 is preferably the potable water tank/source oftrailer 10 used for drinking/bathing purposes by the users of trailer10. A connection conduit 66, for example a flexible hoseconduit/connection, provides the connection between flushwater reservoir64 and toilet bowl 54. The flow of flushwater from flushwater reservoir64 to toilet bowl 54 may be controlled by suitable valving associatedwith connection conduit 66 to allow a fixed amount of flushwater to flowthrough toilet bowl 54 when the toilet 42 is flushed. Typically, theapplication of flushwater to toilet bowl 54 is controlled by a “flushpedal” associated with toilet 42 which, when depressed, providespressure-assisted flushing of toilet bowl 54. Such pressure-assistedflushing of a toilet bowl is well-known in the art and may be providedby a “flushwater” pump associated with flushwater reservoir 64 forpressurizing conduit 66. Additionally, flushwater reservoir 64 mayinclude an external connection point 67 for connecting the flushwaterreservoir 64 to a source of potable (or non-potable water) at, forexample, a campground. External connection point 67 allows easyrefilling of flushwater reservoir 64 from any suitable source offlushwater.

Generally, the aesthetic appearance of toilet facility 40 and,primarily, toilet bowl 54 and lid 62 are intended to mimic theappearance of bathrooms found in private homes. The user may thereforeenjoy similar comforts and conveniences when utilizing toilet facility40 while at a rustic campsite or even a campground which may have, forexample, rudimentary toilet and showering facilities. Accordingly,toilet bowl 54 and lid 62 may take various design formats and colors.Additionally, the internal areas of toilet facility 40, namely sidewall46 and end walls 44, may include exposed surfaces that could be painteddifferent colors or accept wallpaper or other interior decoratingstaples so that toilet facility 40 may be customized to suit the tastesof the owner of trailer 10.

As indicated, toilet bowl 54 is situated above and attached to wasteholding tank 56. Toilet bowl 54 is in fluid communication with wasteholding tank 56 which is adapted to accept the wastewater and contentsof toilet bowl 54 when toilet 42 is flushed by a user of toilet facility40. Accordingly, waste holding tank 56 is able to receive any wastedeposited into toilet bowl 54. Any appropriate joining technique may beused to mount toilet bowl 54 to waste holding tank 56 and provide forthe fluid communication between toilet bowl 54 and waste holding tank56. Waste holding tank 56 is sized to store an adequate amount of sewagewaste so that continual emptying of waste holding tank 56 is notrequired. For example, a desirable holding capacity for waste holdingtank 56 is on the order eight gallons.

Drain outlet 58 is used to empty the contents of waste holding tank 56,preferably at an approved sewage waste disposal site/dump. Drain outlet58 typically comprises a drain pipe 68 and a dump valve 70 adapted toconnect to a conventional sanitary sewage hook-up commonly found atsites that cater to recreational vehicles. Termination or dump valve 70is typically adapted to engage a standard sanitary sewage hook-up. Asillustrated, drain pipe 68 is typically hidden beneath the floor panel50 of toilet facility 40 and floor 24 of trailer body 11 of trailer 10,and extends outward from one of the sidewalls 20 of trailer body 11.Drain pipe 68 and termination valve 70 may also be adapted to allow thecontents of waste holding tank 56 to be dumped to an external holdingtank (not shown) if desired. In one possible embodiment of terminationvalve 70, this valve may comprise a bayonet-style coupling or equivalentto provide connectivity to an industry standard sanitary hook-ups usedto empty the contents of on-board waste holding tanks typically found inrecreation vehicles.

Referring now to all of FIGS. 1–8, vent conduit 60 is adapted to directgases emanating from the waste contained waste holding tank 56 to anarea outside of the trailer 10 (i.e., to the atmosphere). Vent conduit60 is typically a multi-piece structure comprising a vent pipe 72extending upward from waste holding tank 56 and into and upward inintervening panel cavity 52 between sidewall internal and externalpanels 32, 34. Vent pipe 72 has a first end 74 connected to wasteholding tank 56 and a second end 76. Vent pipe 72 extends through a toprail member 78 connecting or bridging sidewall internal and externalpanels 32, 34, with the second end 76 projecting upward from rail member78. Vent pipe 72 and drain outlet 58 may be comprised of conventionalplumbing components, such as plastic (i.e., PVC pipe), couplings, andfittings. Typically, vent pipe 72 branches outward via a 90° elbow abovethe flood line of toilet 42.

Vent conduit 60 is provided to comply with applicable plumbing and/orrecreational vehicle codes for directing waste gases upward and awayfrom living space 30 of trailer body 11. To provide for the routing ofwaste gases to the atmosphere, vent conduit 60 further comprises a venthose 80 connected to the second end 76 of vent pipe 72. Vent hose 80 istypically a flexible hose structure that is resiliently flexible toallow vent hose 80 to bend or flex as roof section 12 is raised andlowered during the set-up phase and take-down phase of trailer 10.Preferably, vent hose 80 remains connected between vent pipe 72 and roofsection 12 throughout each phase and further while trailer 10 isdeployed in the set-up configuration with roof section 12 in a raisedposition. In simple terms, vent hose 80 is adapted to always remainconnected between vent pipe 72 and roof section 12 no matter theposition of roof section 12 relative to trailer body 11. Therefore, venthose 80 does not need to be removed before roof section 12 is retracted(i.e., during the take-down phase of trailer 10) or installed during theset-up phase of trailer 10. Vent hose 80 is intended to be permanentlyor semi-permanently connected between vent pipe 72 and roof section 12.Vent hose 80, in one embodiment, may comprise a spiral reinforced waterhose, having a 1¼″ or 1½″ diameter. Vent hose 80 may be constructed ofplastic such as PVC or other suitable material in a similar manner tovent pipe 72. Vent hose 80 is in fluid communication with vent pipe 72and secured fixedly to the first end 76 of vent pipe 72 with, forexample, a hose clamp or similar coupling element. Specifically, venthose 80 comprises a first end 82 fixedly secured to the second end 76 ofvent pipe 72 and a second end 84 fixedly secured to roof section 12 asdiscussed further herein. It will be understood that the vent hose 80may be secured to vent pipe 72 through any suitable mechanical fasteningtechnique, or may be a telescoping structure that is telescopicallyextendable from vent pipe 72, or even secured to vent pipe 72 using anadhesive, for example, plastic cement.

As shown, primarily, in FIGS. 5 and 6, vent hose 80 of vent conduit 60is hidden or contained within a sleeve enclosure 86 incorporated intoexpandable enclosure 28, for example by being hemmed thereto. Sleeveenclosure 86 is sized to allow vent hose 80 to pass therethrough andfurther allow vent hose 80 to bend and straighten within sleeveenclosure 86 as roof section 12 is raised and lowered. While sleeveenclosure 86 is typically a flexible structure formed of similarmaterial as expandable enclosure 28, it will be appreciated thatfunctionally equivalent structures to a “sleeve” may be used in place ofsleeve enclosure 86. Such equivalent structures include a tunnel orcylindrical-like structure that provides sufficient lateral clearancearound vent hose 80 to allow the vent hose 80 to bend as roof section 12is lowered to a retracted position. If vent hose 80 is provided as atelescoping type structure, sleeve enclosure 86 could be tailored morenarrowly to the dimensions of vent hose 80 and provide less lateral“play” around vent hose 80.

Vent hose 80 extends upwardly through the sleeve enclosure 86 to attachto roof section 12. In particular, second end 84 of vent hose 80 isconnected to a vent outlet 88 provided in roof section 12. Vent outlet88 is a cutout or opening in roof section 12 permitting the release ofwaste gases to the atmosphere. The second end 84 of vent hose 80 may besecured directly in vent outlet 88 or, more typically, vent outlet 88comprises a connecting structure 90 that is secured in vent outlet 88and is adapted to fixedly accept the second end 84 of vent hose 80. Forexample, a connecting structure 90 may comprise a vent coupling 92secured in vent outlet 88 and a tubular coupling 94 extending from ventcoupling 92 wherein the second end 84 of vent hose 80 is secured bymechanical fastening, friction fit, or adhesive joining techniques. Acontinuous vent is provided by vent pipe 72, vent hose 80 and connectingstructure 90 to allow waste gases to exit waste holding tank 56 and bevented to the atmosphere. Sealed connections are preferably providedbetween each of these structures to ensure that fumes are prevented fromentering the internal living space 30 of the trailer body 11.

With specific reference to FIG. 8, roof section 12 may include aprotective cover 96 designed to fit over the vent outlet 88. Protectivecover 96 serves various functions including, but not limited to,focusing gases in a certain direction or preventing rainfall fromentering the vent outlet 88. The protective cover 96 may be constructedof any suitable material including plastic or metal.

Vent conduit 60 provides a permanent and unrestricted path for ventingsewage waste gases to the atmosphere typically at the highest point ofthe trailer 10, namely roof section 12, regardless of whether the roofsection 12 is in the lowered or the raised position. Vent conduit 60 isformed at least in part by flexible vent hose 80 which is of sufficientflexibility to bend or fold upon itself as the roof section 12 islowered. Therefore, vent conduit 60 does not need to be disconnected andreinstalled each time the trailer 10 is transformed from the towingconfiguration to the camping configuration and vice versa. As indicated,vent hose 80 may also be a telescoping conduit which is designed toexpand when roof section 12 is raised, and retract when the roof section12 is lowered. In either embodiment, as roof section 12 is raisedvertically to the set-up position, expandable enclosure 28 willautomatically unfold and become taut. Vent hose 80 will simultaneous bedeployed (i.e., extended) within sleeve enclosure 86. Typically, venthose 80 will “unbend” within sleeve enclosure 86 but could alsotelescope to an extended configuration if vent hose 80 is a telescopingstructure. Conversely, as roof section 12 is lowered from the set-upposition to the retracted towing position, expandable enclosure 28 andvent hose 80 will correspondingly bend or retract in sleeve enclosure 86to allow the complete retraction of roof 12. However, vent conduit 60will remain connected between waste holding tank 56 and roof section 12throughout the raising and lowering operations. The location of venthose 80 substantially contained within sleeve enclosure 86 allows thevent conduit 60 to avoid internal structures within living space 30,such as slide-out areas, retracted beds and internal fixed furnitureitems, that heretofore prevented the installation of permanent ofsemi-permanent venting structures in folding camping trailers. Withoutan appropriate venting structure, folding camping trailer manufacturershave been prevented from installing residential-style commodes and,accordingly, folding camping trailer manufacturers have been limited toinstalling cassette and portable toilets in folding camping trailers.

While the present invention was described with reference to severaldistinct embodiments of a folding camping trailer, those skilled in theart may make modifications and alterations to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrativerather than restrictive. The invention is provisionally defined by theappended claims, and all changes to the invention that fall within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced withintheir scope.

1. A folding camping trailer comprising a trailer body comprisingpartial height sidewalls and end walls, a vertically extendable roofsection, an expandable enclosure connecting the sidewalls, end walls,and roof section, and a flush toilet permanently mounted in the trailerbody comprising: a waste holding tank for storing sewage waste; a toiletbowl attached to the waste holding tank; a drain outlet situated on thewaste holding tank for draining the sewage waste from the waste holdingtank; and a vent conduit extending from the waste holding tank to theroof section.
 2. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 1,wherein the vent conduit comprises a vent pipe connected to the wasteholding tank, and a vent hose having a first end connected to the ventpipe and a second end connected to a vent outlet in the roof section. 3.A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second endof the vent hose is secured fixedly to the vent outlet.
 4. A foldingcamping trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second end is coveredby a vent cover attached to the roof section.
 5. A folding campingtrailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vent hose is extendable froma first length when the roof section is in a retracted positionproximate the sidewalls and end walls to a second longer length when theroof is raised to an extended position.
 6. A folding camping trailer asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the vent hose is formed of plastic.
 7. Afolding camping trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expandableenclosure comprises a sleeve at least partially enclosing the ventconduit.
 8. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a termination valve provided in the drain outlet forreleasing the sewage waste from the waste holding tank.
 9. A foldingcamping trailer as claimed in 8, wherein the termination valve isadapted to mate with an external sanitary sewage hook-up or an externalholding tank.
 10. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 1,wherein the vent conduit is secured to one of the sidewalls of thetrailer body.
 11. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the vent conduit is flexible.
 12. Afolding camping trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vent hose issecured fixedly to the vent pipe and to the vent outlet in the roofsection.
 13. A folding camping trailer comprising: a rigid verticallyextendable roof section; a plurality of rigid and interconnectingpartial height sidewalls and end walls; an expandable enclosureconnected between the roof section and the plurality of sidewalls andend walls, wherein the roof section, sidewalls, end walls, andexpandable enclosure define an interior space of the folding campingtrailer; a waste holding tank for storing sewage waste permanentlymounted within the interior space of the folding camping trailer; atoilet bowl attached to the waste holding tank; a drain outlet on thewaste holding tank for draining the sewage waste from the waste holdingtank; and a vent conduit extending from the waste holding tank to theroof section.
 14. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 13,wherein the vent conduit comprises a vent pipe connected to the wasteholding tank, and a vent hose having a first end connected to the ventpipe and a second end connected to a vent outlet in the roof section.15. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the secondend of the vent hose is secured fixedly to the vent outlet.
 16. Afolding camping trailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second endis covered by a vent cover attached to the roof section.
 17. A foldingcamping trailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the vent hose isextendable from a first length when the roof section is in a retractedposition proximate the sidewalls and end walls to a second longer lengthwhen the roof is raised to an extended position.
 18. A folding campingtrailer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the vent hose is formed ofplastic.
 19. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 13, whereinthe expandable enclosure comprises a sleeve at least partially enclosingthe vent conduit.
 20. A folding camping trailer as claimed in claim 13,wherein at least a portion of the vent conduit is flexible.